Adaptations
Adaptations
Objectives
In this lesson, students learn that adaptations increase organisms’ chances to survive and reproduce. They read about adaptations in desert plants. Then, they conduct a lab activity that simulates how adaptations affect survival. Students will:
- differentiate between structural and behavioral adaptations.
- explain how adaptations can increase organisms’ chances of survival and reproduction.
Essential Questions
Vocabulary
- Adaptation: A change in an organism over time that helps it to survive in its environment.
- Behavioral Adaptation: A change in the way an organism responds to its environment over time that increases its chances to survive and reproduce.
- Characteristic: Trait or feature of an organism.
- Species: A group of organisms that share many characteristics and are able to mate with each other and produce offspring.
- Structural Adaptation: A change in the body structure of an organism over time that increases its chances to survive and reproduce.
Duration
90–135 minutes/2–3 class periods
Prerequisite Skills
Prerequisite Skills haven't been entered into the lesson plan.
Materials
- computer with projector (optional)
- Planet Z Adaptations Lab (S-8-2-3_Planet Z Adaptations Lab and KEY.doc), one per small group
- computers with Internet access, or make copies of the following articles:
- Desert Plant Adaptations (S-8-2-3_Plant Adaptations Article-Desert Plants.doc) available at www.cwnp.org/adaptations.html
- How Cactus Survive in the Desert (S-8-2-3_Plant Adaptations Article-Cactus Survival.doc) available at www.rivenrock.com/adaption.htm
- Reproduction Adaptations of Living Things PowerPoint presentation (S-8-2-3_Reproductive Adaptations of Living Things PPT.ppt)
Related Unit and Lesson Plans
Related Materials & Resources
The possible inclusion of commercial websites below is not an implied endorsement of their products, which are not free, and are not required for this lesson plan.
- How Cactus Survive in the Desert
www.rivenrock.com/adaption.htm
- Reproduction Adaptations of Living Things (PowerPoint presentation)
www.life.umd.edu/grad/mlfsc/res/Adaptations.ppt
- Physical Adaptation (student activity on dinosaur adaptations)
www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/physical.html
Formative Assessment
Suggested Instructional Supports
Instructional Procedures
Related Instructional Videos
Note: Video playback may not work on all devices.
Instructional videos haven't been assigned to the lesson plan.
DRAFT 05/13/2011